Kelly: “What am I thinking? I’m just defending myself. It’s the heat of the moment, the end of the game, and two guys having fun. He started punching me, so I think it is every person’s natural defense to punch back. That’s all it was. As you can tell, he had his gloves off before I did. I still have one glove on.

“Those things happen in the playoffs, especially because it’s not just one game — it could be a possible seven-game series. Tempers are at their highest during playoff time, so there’s no exception, regardless of whether it’s the start of the game or the end of the game.

“To be honest, you don’t really think, you just start punching and try to get his helmet off. You try not to hit the visor. Adrenaline has mostly taken over, so you don’t really feel it. Everyone enjoys good, honest fighting, as a fan and as a player. Goals and fights — that’s what they cheer for. Look at that [young fan’s] face.”